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Original poster

DBS wait times- Kent

37 replies

Reelin · 20/06/2025 06:16

Morning all
Just wondering if anyone in the Kent area has had an enhanced DBS come through fairly quickly recently? Am hearing horrendous stories of delays of months and am just at the beginning of this journey!?

OP posts:
HenriettaMusgrove · 21/06/2025 09:27

@Reelinthank you! So really, I need to encourage everyone I check to get themselves onto the update service. I suspect the problem for us will be that they are all volunteers and signing up effectively after the fact will mean loads don’t bother. Ah well.

Original poster
Reelin · 21/06/2025 09:30

TheignT · 21/06/2025 08:46

Well that used to help when I did them. It was hell for recent graduates with home address, then halls, then a house share, maybe different house share, then graduate and back home, then get their new address, if you live close to the border of two forces it can have multiple places to get stuck.

The police don't have enough resources, they get criticised for not enough officers on the streets, not investigating enough crimes so maybe a DBS isn't top of the pile if they are struggling.

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Well, yes, I certainly agree that they need more staff specifically for these roles but also know how much stress it is for the individual waiting, especially when a job is at stake. Finding an answer is difficult for all involved. I think if the update service was used as it was ment to be, things may be improved.

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Original poster
Reelin · 21/06/2025 09:33

@HenriettaMusgrove yes it all helps and the annual charge is only £16 i believe so not too bad!

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TheignT · 21/06/2025 09:36

Reelin · 21/06/2025 09:30

Well, yes, I certainly agree that they need more staff specifically for these roles but also know how much stress it is for the individual waiting, especially when a job is at stake. Finding an answer is difficult for all involved. I think if the update service was used as it was ment to be, things may be improved.

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Well it isn't that difficult, we get the services we pay for. People want low taxes so we have underfunded services.

TheCurious0range · 21/06/2025 09:37

Have you ever lived in London? I'm in Essex not Kent, but we find any candidates who've lived in London their DBSs take a lot longer, I know Met Pol have a 24/7 data centre processing them but they just can't keep up

Painrelief · 21/06/2025 09:38

I waited about 2 months for mine recently .

Original poster
Reelin · 21/06/2025 10:03

TheignT · 21/06/2025 09:36

Well it isn't that difficult, we get the services we pay for. People want low taxes so we have underfunded services.

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Unfortunately true, we only notice when it affects us directly i guess. We'll see how i get on this time round!

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Original poster
Reelin · 21/06/2025 10:05

Painrelief · 21/06/2025 09:38

I waited about 2 months for mine recently .

I think I would be OK with that, but some people are saying 8 months!! I just cannot believe or understand why!

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Original poster
Reelin · 21/06/2025 10:07

TheCurious0range · 21/06/2025 09:37

Have you ever lived in London? I'm in Essex not Kent, but we find any candidates who've lived in London their DBSs take a lot longer, I know Met Pol have a 24/7 data centre processing them but they just can't keep up

No just in the same town in Kent so should only be one police force hopefully!

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itsgettingweird · 21/06/2025 12:12

Reelin · 21/06/2025 07:56

Exactly the same here, there seems no rhyme or reason to it at all, just luck. That's so unfair though, there has to be a better way of doing things!

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What’s worse this time is it is to assist my disabled son poolside at a swimming comp (British champs so a big one) and I can’t do it without this dbs.

Even though it’s my son and he’s an adult. So legally I don’t even need it - it’s just procedure to me to have one to get the pass 🤷‍♀️

Original poster
Reelin · 21/06/2025 15:39

itsgettingweird · 21/06/2025 12:12

What’s worse this time is it is to assist my disabled son poolside at a swimming comp (British champs so a big one) and I can’t do it without this dbs.

Even though it’s my son and he’s an adult. So legally I don’t even need it - it’s just procedure to me to have one to get the pass 🤷‍♀️

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It's so unfair isn't it, you waiting for it now i take it? I do hope it arrives on time!

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Original poster
Reelin · 10/07/2025 08:11

Well just a quick update, it passed stage 3 weeks after submitting and the certificate arrived 3 days later. So under 4 weeks all in all which means I have been able to start my new job this week!
I was in shock as never been this quick and was probably just lucky tbh.

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